The mild misty days ending October have now given way to clearer chillier weather - adding a touch of colour to the landscape.
Wintering migrants are now very much in evidence on the estuary and inland on the Reserve. Swans, geese, duck, waders, thrushes are all taking advantage of what is on offer, not to mention sparrows, finches and buntings who are gleaning from the specially cultivated arable fields.
A number of Little Egrets can usually be seen hunting along the Saltmarsh at most stages of the tide.
The highlight of this last week however, has been the sighting of a Great White Egret along the saltmarsh hunting in the creeks.
Workparties regularly take place on Thursday mornings. The current task is one of gorse coppicing which is carried out on an annual rotation.
Several arable fields on the Reserve have been planted with crops which benefit birds and wildlife. Amongst those are kale which provides seed for declining birds such as Linnets and Reed Bunting and clover, fodder radish and mustard which not only provides some seed but also fixes nitrogen into the soil to act as a green manure, thus preventing the use of inorganic fertilisers.
Fodder radish seed pods developing.
Linnets on the wires over arable fields.
Linnets having just flown out of arable field . . .
. . . and Reed Bunting too.
Arable field surveys are regularly carried out and this activity is currently being executed by Cara.
1st November.
Rustic autumn colours looking out towards the Moss from the hide . . .
. . . with a evening spotlight on poolside vegetation.
A Grey Heron patiently waiting and watching - Saltmarsh Pool.
A flotilla of Mallards passing by on the estuary.
Shelduck on the move as the tide comes in.
Lapwing and Dunlin feeding on the mudflats on the ebb-tide.
Flock of Barnacles flying east along the estuary.
Redshank flying in to join Lapwings on Saltmarsh pool.
Some of a flock of Fieldfare seen on the Ash tree near the Wetlands Centre.
Whooper Swans preening and up-ending on the Meadow Pools. They had probably roosted there the previous night looking at the number of feathers scattered about.
3rd November.
Flock of about 400 Barnacles with a leucistic bird, grazed the saltmarsh just west of the Viaduct for a good part of the day.
A flock of Shoveler fly by at high tide as Barnacles graze below.
Fieldfare gleaning the plentiful supply of haws on bushes lining the top of the saltmarsh.
Redwing also.
4th November.
Although hazy and damp all day, it did not deter the birds
Some 400 Barnacles grazed the saltmarsh near Biglands lay-by, for most of the day.
A bright Redwing on the Lonning hedgerow.
Shoveler pair from the hide.
A splendid looking male Pintail on pool in front of the hide.
A juvenile Moorhen on the Meadow Pools.
5th November.
A cold NW wind blew today making for brighter clearer weather.
The mudflats, on the ebbtide, were inhabited by larger flocks of waders and from early morning about 300 Barnacle were restlessly grazing the saltmarsh just west of the Viaduct.
A small group of Barnacles coming in to join the already grazing ones.
A single Roe Deer on the wetlands.
The Clay Dabbin looking at home across the arable field - almost finished now.
Good companions on the Meadow Pools.
Teal and female Pintail on Hide Pool.
Waders and duck on the estuary.
6th November.
Always on the lookout.
7th November.
A bright day with a cold NW wind. Lots of Goldfinches and Tree Sparrows on niger seed feeders..
Song thrush eating haws on marsh front. - occasionally joined by a Redwing.
Counted 83 Shelduck on the mudflats in front of Biglands lay-by - always a colourful sight!
Also a colourful display.